I just realized that I didn’t do a dedicated blog announcement about this book that means so much to me…so here it goes.
Discover Lacey & Hunter’s story in TRUST ME, TRUST ME NOT, the third standalone book in the Gavert City series.
TRUST ME, TRUST ME NOT (Lacey & Hunter’s story) comes out on September 5th but you can pre-order it today! ( Amazon – Kobo – iTunes – B&N – Google Play )
Amazing picture by Lindee Robinson and design by Najla Qamber Design
She thought she left the cult behind. He thought he’d always protect her. They were oh so wrong.
Twenty-year-old Lacey Simon jumped from a building on fire to escape the cult her stepdad was leading, so college should be oh so easy. Except Lacey can’t seem to move on. Not only does she receive threatening letters, she’s also failing her classes. Fun times. Only Hunter, the firefighter who saved her from the fire and who’s been there for her ever since, reminds her that her stepdad no longer dictates her future. He tutors her in English, and he makes her laugh, blush and help her be more daring. But why does it feel like he’s only doing this to redeem himself from mistakes of his past?
Twenty-one-year-old Hunter Harrington used to think he was invincible until a frat party turned tragic and he discovered a dead body in the pool. Ever since that day, he’s been doing his best to keep his grades up and help others. Yep, he even joined the volunteer firefighters’ college program. When he’s accused of plagiarism, he’s forced to spend more time with Lacey. Not that he minds. He’d love to get even closer. But he has secrets of his own that could destroy their relationship before it even starts. And can he really keep her safe?
Can they trust themselves and each other enough to no longer be afraid to love and…to stay alive?
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Sometimes, you just need to enjoy a piece of cake (or whatever is your equivalent of a piece of cake).
Yesterday when I had that piece of cake it made me smile. Granted the company was also pretty good. Yesterday I cried (I didn’t take a picture of my crying face so cake picture it is not 😋). Yesterday, I was full of hope and my hope kind of got crushed a little. But hope is pretty resilient.
Yesterday I had a PET scan which was kind of mixed. On one side, it showed that the mediastinal lymph node I had before reduced in size & in SUV (activity level), which is wonderful news. On the other side, there are new areas of concern. I haven’t seen the full report yet but based on the discussion with my oncologist, it could actually be inflammation due to the immunotherapy.
I’m currently slated to have two more treatments & then undergo an autologous stem cell transplant (with my own stem cells). This has proven curative in Hodgkin’s. It’s better to have a so-called negative PET scan before undergoing said stem-cell, so I want to get another PET before the actual transplant. I might have to fight my insurance for it (again). I’m grateful cancer is no longer a pre-existing condition, because it would have the potential to make everything harder & honestly, I don’t need that.
Immunotherapy is pretty novel before transplant. It has shown to enhance chemo-sensitivity so crossing my fingers that this sequence helps me. I have to talk to my oncologist (again). I’m very thankful to feel like an integral part of the team. My oncologist listens & listens & listens.
I feel well. I’ve recorded several audiobooks. I work out. I got used to the neuropathy in my feet. I’m writing again and my goal is to ensure my next novel TRUST ME, TRUST ME NOT comes out as planned beginning of September (up for pre-order https://amzn.to/2SICKrf 😊)
Yesterday was a whirlwind of emotions. Today I feel better & calmer & happier.
Right now, I’m concentrating on this one step, making sure I’m in the best shape I can & in the best position possible. Right now, I’m thinking of the fun things ahead. Right now, I’m also enjoying the little things & the little moments.
And it’s easier when you get to eat cake 😊
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It’s my fifth publishing anniversary or The One With All The Thoughts…First: “The One…” is a reference to Friends’ episodes, I’m not trying to say I’m The One with all the thoughts. That would be a looooot of thoughts 😉 It was either going to be that or It’s my fifth publishing anniversary and I’ll write a blog post if I want to (imagine me singing…or not…you probably shouldn’t, I have a speaking voice :-))
It’s been five years since this picture was taken.
Wow. Five. Years. The Chemical Engineer and I were living in Mainz, in Germany with Peter The Cat. I was working at the European Central Bank as Press Officer. We now live in Maryland with Plato The Dog and Bobbie Voltaire the Cat, where after going back into teaching, I am now writing and narrating. A lot has happened in five years, both publishing and non-publishing wise.
But first, a little or rather big shout-out to my parents who are celebrating their 45th wedding anniversary today (June 26th,2019). Forty-five years! And let me just say, it makes my heart full of ❤
Dedication in ONE, TWO, THREE…
Now, when it comes to publishing. In those five years, there has been tears and laughter, total failures and resounding successes.
Some days, I feel like I still have no clue what I’m doing. Others, it feels like I have somewhat of an idea. Publishing has been a roller coaster of emotions. And let me make one thing clear, I am able to do it this way thanks to the Chemical Engineer. I definitely don’t make enough for us to live off my writing. And I’m very grateful he still believes in me after five years.
Five years ago, I published ONE, TWO, THREE…
When I published One, Two, Three, I thought it was going to be an instant bestseller.
You know the kind…even though I since realized that many (maybe most; I’m not sure since I don’t have any hard data) of the overnight successes had actually been in the making for decades.
Anyways, I believed I would wake up the morning of the launch and thousands of copies would have sold. I would be hitting all bestseller lists. Producers would be calling me, begging me to adapt the story for TV. Bookstores would ask me to stock it because people would be asking for it.
On the first day, it sold less than the number of my Facebook friends. Way less. Way way less. And nobody contacted me to adapt it for TV.
But I am still writing and I am still publishing and I am still selling copies of One, Two, Three today. And someone made fan art from the story!
Plus. the French translation got picked up as my option book with a French publisher.
Signing the contract for the French version of ONE, TWO, THREE 🙂
It was retitled VIVRE, AIMER, DANSER… I love that cover!
And I still receive emails from readers who tell me how Natalya’s story has moved them, and how it has helped them somehow, and how much they loved getting to know her and Antonio, and Becca, and James.
Since I published One, Two, Three, I published one novelette (One Dream Only – Natalya’s story 0.5), one novella (A Summer Like No Other – Em & Nick #1) and four novels (Always Second Best, Em & Nick #2, Love in B Minor, Fear Me Fear Me Not and See Me See Me Not).
And you can also recommend them on Overdrive for your library!
Including this one that is available for pre-order! Amazon – Kobo – B&N – iTunes
I published translations of all those books in many languages (French, German, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Japanese, Dutch, Chinese…)
And I published bilingual copies of some for those learning languages.
And three of those French translations were picked up and published by a French publisher (available in French bookstores and grocery stores). I sold thousands of copies in France.
I went to writer’s retreats with talented writers and amazing human beings ❤
I participated in several authors’ events, and shared the stage with NYT bestseller authors and so many talented authors.
I signed a guitar!
I was featured in the Baltimore Sun.
Recently, I got my first BookBub promotion for FEAR ME, FEAR ME NOT. I’ve been trying for 5 years to get a BookBub 🙂 and I loved what they did for the promotion and how well it worked!
Some of my books are even available in audiobook! Like LOVE IN B MINOR which has been gathering wonderful reviews!
As well as other audiobooks for which I use a pen name…;-)
During that time, I also got diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (in October 2017). After finding out that I needed to change treatments, I also organized an auction to benefit non-profits who help young adults with cancer. I was blown away by the amount of support I received from the publishing community for the Let’s Do Something Good auction! I mean I even got a signed book from Jenna Fischer! And she retweeted me and tweeted me directly!
I am back in treatment now and it’s not necessarily easy (for many reasons) yet easier (in other ways), but let me tell you: the book I currently have on pre-order, TRUST ME TRUST ME NOT, means a lot to me.
I can’t tell if I love one of my books more than the other, but I can tell you that writing Lacey and Hunter has been cathartic in a lot of ways. Being able to write has been emotional and hard and easy at the same time. Writing always is, but having Lacey trying to move forward, not knowing if she really can has been hitting a spot.
During these past five years, I didn’t reach a point where both The Chemical Engineer and I and our four-legged friends (see pictures below because how cute are they :-)) could live from my income. I loss some (especially at the beginning), I gained some (I actually make profits from my writing now, whoop whoop!).
I still dream of getting contacted by a producer. So if you’re a producer reading this, don’t hesitate 😉
But most importantly, I am grateful I get to write those stories in my head. Writing helps keeping me balanced even when it’s hard and frustrating, I find that it helps me.
I am grateful to my family and friends and everyone who helps me and cheers me on along the way (my talented and generous writer friends, photographer, cover designers, translators, editors and more).
And I’m especially grateful to my wonderful husband (who did get a Best Husband Of The Year Award last year or was it two years ago? :-)). Sometimes I have the feeling that I should do more, try more ways to sell more books (and I do), but even when The Chemical Engineer asks me for Excel sheets for the business side (and full disclosure: we bicker ;-)), I know he believes in me. And that means the world.
Look! Graphs 🙂 Number of books I sold. Trackerbox gave me those – they do not reflect the sales with my French publisher nor some of the translations and do not show the free ebooks (like Bookbub)…So the sales from A SUMMER LIKE NO OTHER for example are a lot of paperbacks 😉 since the ebook is currently free.
And I’m grateful to YOU, dear reader, for taking a chance on my books…and for loving the characters as much as I do ❤
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This is my first pre-order campaign. Ever. And I’d like to thank Erin Bowman for her amazing insight on how to organize a pre-order campaign.
I can’t believe I’m almost ready to release SEE ME, SEE ME NOT. It’s another of those books that has been simmering for awhile and all the flavors have finally taken 🙂
I’m so excited to share this book with you all, and I want to give a little something to everyone who pre-orders an e-copy. INTERNATIONAL READERS are welcome to join this campaign and will not only receive the swag but also be entered to win the
And yes, I mean EVERYONE. (Well, at least while supplies last.)
If you preorder SEE ME, SEE ME NOT by August 28th, I’ll send you a swag pack including:
» 1 SEE ME, SEE ME NOT bookmark
» 1 SEE ME, SEE ME NOT stickers (selection made at random, image may vary)
Here’s a peek at the front and back of the bookmark, and the stickers…
PLEASE NOTE: I have different quantities of bookmarks and stickers, and they will only be available while supplies last. This means the sooner you preorder and fill out the form, the better chance you have of getting all three! (I’ll probably run out of stickers long before I run out of bookmarks.)
Once the contest closes, I’ll randomly draw runner-up and grand-prize winners!
In addition to the swag pack, FIVE runner-up winners will receive:
» a limited edition signed print of the SEE ME, SEE ME NOT cover (roughly 6” x 11”)
And in addition to the swag pack, ONE grand-prize winners will receive the following bundle:
» a limited edition signed print of SEE ME, SEE ME NOT’s cover (roughly 6” x 11”)
» a signed paperback copy of SEE ME, SEE ME NOT
» a signed copy of Katy Upperman’s debut: KISSING MAX HOLDEN
» a signed copy of FEAR ME, FEAR ME NOT
» A flying pig charm! 🙂 Winged Pig pendant charm with hand stamped initial letter charm on high quality key ring or bangles or bracelet or stainless steel chain (Etsy)
» $10 gift card (to Amazon or B&N, winner’s choice)
TO ENTER:
Preorder SEE ME, SEE ME NOT by 11:59 PM ET on August 28th and fill out the form below. No really, that’s it! Simply fill out the form letting me know you’ve ordered your copy, and you’re guaranteed a swag pack while supplies last, as well as a chance to win the runner-up or grand-prize. I’m not requiring a proof of purchase for swag packs, but I will ask to see your receipt if your name is drawn as a runner-up or grand prize winner, so hold on to it! Again, this is open internationally
Here’s the form to enter. If it doesn’t load for some reason, click here.
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SEE ME,
Try as they might…
SEE ME NOT,
Tessa and Luke can’t escape their past
OH MY…You have no idea how long I’ve been waiting to show you this cover…they’re the perfect Luke & Tessa.
Luke and Tessa.
I know I’m not supposed to have favorites but their connection is so strong and their chemistry is pretty off the charts too. They have their issues (pretty big ones…like a sister who disappeared and a past that doesn’t want to let go) but the way they grow closer and trust one another is…<3 ❤ ❤
a preorder contest: EVERYONE who preorders SEE ME, SEE ME NOT gets swag (and there will be more for some lucky readers). All details here: http://wp.me/p1QnxT-1gF
Six years ago, Tessa Gardner’s sister, Mellie, disappeared. Despite lingering guilt and the never ending desire to find her, seventeen-year-old Tessa works hard to keep it together. But when her childhood crush, seventeen-year-old Luke Simon, rolls back into her small Texan town, he threatens to topple the delicate balance she created. She’s drawn to him—and the way he makes her smile. He’s the only one who seems to understand her, but he’s got a dark past of his own. Even the fake psychics who swear Mellie is still alive tell Tessa that Luke will cause her pain.
Luke Simon knows a thing or two about guilt. He moved in with his uncle to escape his past, but memories threaten to eat him alive. He does what he can to keep his anger in check—quieting his thoughts by making out with one meaningless girl after the next. Tessa, and her long legs and her hard-earned smiles and her kindness is the only girl who’s ever mattered. She’s the one untainted memory he has from his childhood and he could talk to her for hours. He could do anything with her for hours. But the truth about his past might send her running. Or worse.
While Tessa and Luke try their hardest to live in the present, their pasts lurk in the shadows, more intertwined than they could imagine. When the bodies of the fake psychics are found, Tessa realizes that the truth about what happened to Mellie is right around the corner—and it may be too late to save her sister—and herself.
Do you want to see more teasers? Don’t hesitate to join my Facebook Cozy Nook….
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On Wednesday, the French translation of my novel A SUMMER LIKE NO OTHER comes out again in paperback. But this time, it is published by Dreamland (City Editions). They publish Jessica Sorensen too (I’m still pinching myself over this fact :))
That makes me a so-called hybrid author: self-published and traditionally published. I don’t regret my decision to self-publish one bit. However, I don’t deny that knowing two of my books are going to be available in bookstores is giving me a happy fluttery feeling.
Look –> it’s my book on the site of the Bibliothèque nationale de France 🙂
A bit less than a year ago, I received an email from City Editions asking me if I’d like to have the French versions of A SUMMER LIKE NO OTHER and ALWAYS SECOND BEST in bookstores in France.
I didn’t believe it was real at first. I thought it might be a service someone was offering but nope, they were a serious publishing house and they wanted my books. I signed a contract. I got an advance. Everything was real.
You have no idea what it did to me when I read in the contract a clause about possibly being picked up by France Loisirs in the future. France Loisirs is my youth. It’s a subscription service with so many amazing books and just a lot of memories of going to their stores too sometimes to choose the book I would get. Someone else might pick up my book one day after perusing the store or their catalog for hours. And that makes me happy.
But even if that doesn’t happen, my book, my words…are going to be available in bookstores. Fnac, Cultura, Decitre, local bookstores…even Leclerc. Who knows maybe I’ll also see it at Cora, the store I used to work at as cashier during part of my studies?
And I’m grateful.
To City Editions for reaching out to me. To the translator of A SUMMER LIKE NO OTHER & ALWAYS SECOND BEST, Edith Girval who is simply oh so talented. To everyone who’s read the books already which probably gave me the exposure needed to be seen. To my family and friends for their unwavering support. To my husband, who is every bit as excited about this as I am and who’s so proud of me.
Tomorrow is the day I become a hybrid author. And trust me, when we go to France in a few weeks, I’ll be walking into a bookstore and might shed a tear holding my book in my hands.
Tomorrow is also the day I’m going to reveal the cover of my next book, SEE ME, SEE ME NOT (with a bunch of fun things and giveaways planned). Stay tuned…
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I cannot believe this! FEAR ME, FEAR ME NOT is out in the world.
I love love love Dimitri and Erin. I love their story. I cried and I laughed while writing it. And I hope you enjoy their story too. You can get it in e-book and paperback here.
Oh and there’s a book trailer 🙂 It’s the first time I use a book trailer 🙂
Let me know what you think!
Releasing a story in the world is still this incredible mix of exciting and anxiety. On Tuesday, I woke up at 2 a.m. to finalize a few things…and it seemed surreal knowing that Dimi and Erin would soon be in your hands. 🙂 Surreal and amazing.
Thank for your reading! I’m very grateful for all of you!
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My new book, a YA romantic suspense novel FEAR ME, FEAR ME NOT has been in the making for several years. I could say I wrote it in 3 months, but it’s actually taken me 3 years to get the story where I wanted it to be. It will be published on September 27th, 2016 and you can already pre-order it here.
While browsing the pre-made covers of Najla Qambers , I came across one I fell in love with for a book about another character. The photographer was Lindee Robinson, so I reached out to her to see if I could see more pictures of different couples and I found Erin and Dimitri 🙂
Thank you so much Najla and Lindee!
SCREAM meets FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS in this new young adult romantic suspense novel by Elodie Nowodazkij.
Fear is power. They fear me. They don’t fear me enough. Every year a girl disappears in Gavert County, Texas. Their bodies are found days, sometimes months, later with an angel wing carved on their face. They call me “the Angel Killer” and I’m on the hunt again. But this time, it’s personal.
Seventeen-year-old cheerleader Erin Hortz has been warned about the Angel Killer all her life. She never walks alone in the dark. She doesn’t talk to strangers. She doesn’t accept drinks at parties. All she wants is to finish her senior year with a win at the Miss Junior Queen of Hearts pageant, capture the perfect light over the lake with her new camera, and finally catch the attention of her best friend Nadia’s brother—former football star Dimitri Kuklev. Since his injury, they’ve been spending a lot of time together. And getting to know the real Dimitri—not the one she put on a pedestal in her diary is better than she could ever have imagined. And she’s falling hard.
Nineteen-year-old Dimitri’s injury brought him from football superstar with universities from all around the country knocking at his door to not knowing what he wants to do with his life. Taking classes at the local community college is supposed to get him back on track, but all he wants is to be on the field again. The only person who seems to understand him is the one he swore to keep in the friend zone: Erin. His sister Nadia’s best friend and the reason why he can’t keep a girlfriend. Between their early morning jogs, their time spent at the lake laughing, and their late night conversations, he’s having a hard time remembering why it’s such a bad idea.
But when Nadia doesn’t come home after a party, Dimitri and Erin know they must find her before it’s too late—even if that means risking their own lives and everything Erin’s ever known.
Because the main suspect is Erin’s father.
Annnnnd you could win a $50 Amazon Gift Card by participating in The Cover Reveal Giveaway…
THANK YOU 🙂
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In an effort to blog a bit more regularly, I’ve decided to Katy Upperman‘s “Currently” posts 🙂 Don’t hesitate to join us. (Find the origins of the idea HERE.)
The hubby and I started watching 30 Rock…Otherwise, I may or may not have Gilmore Girls (again) in the background when doing housework.
Listening To
My very eclectic playlist on my iPod while jogging and writing. I wrote at B&N yesterday after working and having my music on helps me to blur out everything that’s not my main characters.
Thinking About
Ways to make my characters even more real.
Anticipating
Family visit! At the end of April, the hubby’s mom and aunt are arriving and then my parents are joining the fun beginning of May.
Wishing
Hmmm 🙂 You know if you’re on Goodreads, you can add FEAR ME, FEAR ME NOT to your TBR 🙂
annnnd if you’ve read any of my books, don’t hesitate to leave a review on the e-retailer of you choice 🙂 (Amazon, B&N, iTunes, Kobo)
Making Me Happy
Walking the dog with the hubby almost every night and definitely every weekend. Quality time in the midst of our busy schedule is definitely making me happy.
I am so so excited to announce that my next book, FEAR ME FEAR ME NOT, will be out in the world this summer. It’s a YA romantic suspense novel. I’ve been working on it for several years. And I may be scaring myself revising it. You can add it to Goodreads now 🙂
Every year a girl disappears in Gavert County, Texas. Their bodies are found days, sometimes months, later with an angel wing carved on each girl’s face. And the Angel Killer is on the hunt again, looking for his next victim.
Seventeen-year-old cheerleader Erin Hortz has been warned about the Angel Killer all her life. She never walks alone in the dark. She doesn’t talk to strangers. She doesn’t accept drinks at parties. All she wants is to finish her senior year with a win at the Miss Junior Queen of Hearts pageant, capture the perfect light over the lake with her new camera, and finally catch the attention of her best friend Nadia’s brother—former football star Dimitri Kuklev. Since his injury, they’ve been spending a lot of time together. And getting to know the real Dimitri—not the one she put on a pedestal in her diary is better than she could ever have imagined. And she’s falling hard.
Nineteen-year-old Dimitri’s injury brought him from football superstar with universities from all around the country knocking at his door to not knowing what he wants to do with his life. Taking classes at the local community college is supposed to get him back on track, but all he wants is to be on the field again. The only person who seems to understand him is the one he swore to keep in the friend zone: Erin. His sister Nadia’s best friend and the reason why he can’t keep a girlfriend. Between their early morning jogs, their time spent at the lake laughing, and their late night conversations, he’s having a hard time remembering why it’s such a bad idea.
But when Nadia doesn’t come home after a party, Dimitri and Erin know they must find her before it’s too late—even if that means risking their own lives and everything Erin’s ever known.
Because the main suspect is Erin’s father.
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Six years ago, Tessa Gardner’s sister, Mellie, disappeared. Despite lingering guilt and the never ending desire to find her, seventeen-year-old Tessa works hard to keep it together. But when her childhood crush, seventeen-year-old Luke Simon, rolls back into her small Texan town, he threatens to topple the delicate balance she created. She’s drawn to him—and the way he makes her smile. He’s the only one who seems to understand her, but he’s got a dark past of his own. Even the fake psychics who swear Mellie is still alive tell Tessa that Luke will cause her pain.
Every year a girl disappears in Gavert County, Texas. Their bodies are found days, sometimes months, later with an angel wing carved on each girl’s face. And the Angel Killer is on the hunt again, looking for his next victim.
Elodie Nowodazkij 